Ultraviolet light mailbox

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a mailbox sanitization device employing ultraviolet lamps mounted therein. The lamps are activated after placement of mail, postcards, packages and the like into the mailbox for approximately 60 seconds. The ultraviolet lamp may further produce residual ozone sufficient to destroy most viruses found on the materials placed within the mailbox. The mailbox may be operated in remote areas by use of low voltage or in a commercial setting for protection of postal employees.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention is directed to the field of mailboxes and inparticular to mailbox utilizing ultraviolet lamps for localized surfacetreatment of mail.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The ability for germs to be transmitted from person to person iswell known. Various products, such as sanitization solutions, andtechniques, such as frequent hand washing, are known to help prevent thespread of viruses. Typically the transmission of germs from one personto another is by accident.

[0003] For example, in a residential situation a postal delivery personsorts mail by their delivery address where the mail is deposited in abox located at the recipient's residence. It is not unusual for thepostal worker to handle thousands of pieces of mail each day, as well asopen hundreds of mailboxes, each of which may hold various strands ofgerms. Further, the postal delivery person may shake the hand ofnumerous patrons, open building doors and mailboxes, any of which mayharbor germs. If the postal worker wears gloves, he may protect himselfbut not the mail. Thus, a virus may be received as as a neighborsneezing while depositing his mail and the postal worker and becomingthe unsuspecting carrier for the germs.

[0004] As evident by the ease of transporting germs, postal workers alsoneed protection from the public as they are constantly exposed to thegerms carried by the mail. Gloves are a known option but typically arenot worn due to apparently inconveniences has from heat, lost ofdexterity, and allergic reaction that some individuals have to glovessuch as those made from latex.

[0005] Of current concern is that a segment of the population does notcare to abide by common cleanliness etiquette, or maliciously attemptsto spread viruses. The mail has been found to be easy way oftransporting spores used to intentionally cause harm to unsuspectingvictims. In such instances the unsuspecting handler of mail, as well asthe recipient, can be subjected to dangerous viruses.

[0006] Thus, what is lacking in the art is a device that automaticallysubjects mail to ultraviolet radiation for purposes of destroying germsby use of a conventional style mailbox container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Disclosed is a mailbox that is modified to include an ultravioletlight source. Mail placed into the mailbox is subjected to intenseultraviolet light by use of 254 nm lamps for destruction of germs, or185 nm lamps that are capable of providing producing ultraviolet lightand residual ozone.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment mail items, such as postcards,envelopes, brochures, cd's, and so forth) are placed inside a mailboxcontainer housing ultraviolet lamps. When the mailbox door is closed,the ultraviolet lamp is activated for a period of about 60 second.During this process, the mail is subjected to a very high level ofultraviolet light for purposes of killing germs. Depending on the typeof germicidal lamp employed, the ultraviolet light may also create anozone residual to destroy germs that are hidden from the radiationlight.

[0009] The mailbox ultraviolet lamps may be operated by a remotelylocated low voltage electrical source (e.g. 12 volts DC), solar power,or battery power. When the mailbox is mounted to a secure structure, theunit may be operated directly on 120 volts AC.

[0010] Thus an objective of the invention is to teach the use of amailbox as a microbial/germicidal sanitization container.

[0011] Yet another objective of the invention is to disclose a the useof a residential mailbox for purposes of treating mail before receipt bya mailman or a patron.

[0012] Another objective of the invention is to provide an ultravioletlight mailbox that operates on low voltage.

[0013] Still another objective to the invention is to provide acommercial mailbox receptacle for treatment of mail and protection ofpostal employees.

[0014] Another objective of the instant invention is to employultraviolet lamps that produce ozone.

[0015] Yet still another objective of the instant invention is toprovide a viewing port to safely determine operation of the ultravioletlamps.

[0016] Other objectives and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitutea part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ultraviolet light mailbox ofthe present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the inside of the ultravioletlight mailbox;

[0019]FIG. 3 is an end view of the ultraviolet light mounted bracket;and

[0020]FIG. 4 is a simplified electrical schematic depicting powerrouting for the ultraviolet light mailbox.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Although the invention will be described in terms of a specificembodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this artthat various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of theinvention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0022] Now referring to FIG. 1, set forth is a pictorial of a mailbox 10having a conventional shape and further defined as a housing 12 havingan interior 14 and an open end 16. A door 18 has an inner surface 20 andan outer surface 22. The door 18 is pivotly attached by hinge member 24to the open end 16 of the housing 12. In a conventional format themailbox may have a flag 26 that can be raised to indicate to a postalworker that items are inside the mailbox for pickup. In this embodimentthe mailbox 10 is mounted on a post 28. In the interior 14 of thehousing 12 is a first ultraviolet lamp 30 positioned so as to provideeffective distribution of ultraviolet light to the mail. The ultravioletlight recommended is either a 254 nm wave length capable of providinggermicidal destruction or a 185 nm capable of producing radiant lightand a residual amount of ozone. The lamp 30 is protected by a galvanizedscreen 32 preferably constructed from 19 gauge wire. Similarly a lowerlamp 34 is located along the bottom surface 36 of the housing 12 andalso protected by a galvanized screen 38. Preferably the interior 14 ofthe housing 12 is coated with galvanized paint due to the reflectiveproperties of galvanized material which enhances operation of theultraviolet light, but further provides a material of construction whichinhibits growth of bacteria. The screen material allows full passage ofultraviolet light but prevents mail insertion from collapsing the screenso as to cause breakage to the lamps. In instances where excessive mailmay be placed within the mailbox, mail slots may be used to organize themail to allow separation and enhanced contact with the ultravioletlight. In instances where packing of porous materials is expected, theuse of the ultraviolet light capable of producing a residual amount ofozone is preferred to allow for proper disinfection. It should be notedthat common spreading of germs is located on the outside surface of themail, especially those being last handled. Thus, the interaction of theultraviolet light from the bottom surface and the top surface of themailbox with reflecting side surfaces, is deemed sufficient for mostinstallations. Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is the ultraviolet lights30 and 34 placed along the interior 14 of the housing 12. Switchmechanism 40 is available for engaging door 22 for purposes of operatinga timer 42 that allows operation of the lamps 30 and 34. Timer operationof approximately 60 seconds is deemed suitable for the radiant light.Depending upon the type of lamps employed and the particularinstallation, a ballast or transformer 42 may be located at the mailbox.For instance, in commercial applications such as those where therecipient of the mail is the United States Postal Service, the mailboxwould be considered a commercial box and the use of a locally mountedballast may be preferred. However, in residential applications where themailbox may be located along the outer property edge, where it isacceptable to accidents, (e.g. lawn mowers, wayward automobiles and soforth) preferably the higher voltage is maintained in the residentshousing struture and low voltage is brought to the lamps. If destructionof the mailbox assembly occurs, electrification would not be a result.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional mailbox may be modified by theuse of a lower plate of galvanized steel 46 Galvanized channel 48 ismounted thereon for holding of the lamp retainer 50. The screeningmaterial 38 is located above the assembly again to prevent damage to thelamps. In such instances, 19 gauge galvanized steel is found to besufficient to provide support and sufficient rigidity for the handlingof most packages.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, a common voltage source such as 120 volts ACis found in the home and can be delivered to a low voltage transformer62 that supplies power to the mailbox located switch 40 and timer 42.Upon closing of the switch 40 the timer is energized which allows lowvoltage power to be delivered to the lamps 30 and 34, depending upon thetype of pre-heat unit 66 that is employed.

[0025] Ideally, the Postal worker would only accept mail placed in theresidential mail box. The Postal worker would know where the mail camefrom and that it had been radiated. Similarly, a mail patron would onlyaccept mail from a postal worker after it has been treated by the lightradiation.

[0026] It is to be understood that while I have illustrated anddescribed certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to thespecific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may bemade without departing from the scope of the invention and the inventionis not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification.

What I claim is:
 1. A ultraviolet light mailbox comprising: a housingdefining an interior and an open end; a door having an inner and anouter surface, said door pivotally attached to said open end of saidhousing; at least one ultraviolet lamp positioned in said interiorproviding a wavelength capable of germicidal destruction; a switchelectrically coupled to said ultraviolet lamp and coupled to said door,said switch movable by said door for placing said ultraviolet lampbetween an on position when said door covers the open end and an offposition when said door is pivoted to allow access to the interior ofsaid housing; whereby mail placed within said interior of said housingis subject to ultraviolet light when said door is placed in a positionto cover said open end.
 2. The ultraviolet light mailbox according toclaim 1 wherein said interior of said housing is coated with anon-corrosion material.
 3. The ultraviolet light mailbox according toclaim 1 wherein said ultraviolet lamp is capable of radiating at awavelength of 254 nm providing germicidal destruction.
 4. Theultraviolet light mailbox according to claim 1 wherein said ultravioletlamp is capable of radiating at a wavelength of 185 nm and producingozone providing germicidal destruction.
 5. The ultraviolet light mailboxaccording to claim 1 including a timer eclectically coupled to saidswitch.
 6. The ultraviolet light mailbox according to claim 5 whereinsaid timer operates said lamp for a period of about 60 seconds.
 7. Theultraviolet light mailbox according to claim 1 wherein said housingincludes a viewing port to provide visual indication of lamp operation.8. The ultraviolet light mailbox according to claim 1 wherein said lampis powered by a remotely located low voltage ballast.
 9. The ultravioletlight mailbox according to claim 1 wherein said lamp is powered bybatteries.
 10. The ultraviolet light mailbox according to claim 9wherein said batteries are replenished by solar power.
 11. A ultravioletlight mailbox comprising: a housing defining an interior and an openend, said interior coated with a non-corrosion material; a door havingan inner and an outer surface, said door pivotally attached to said openend of said housing; at least one ultraviolet lamp powered by a remotelylocated low voltage ballast, said lamp positioned in said interiorproviding a wavelength capable of germicidal destruction; a switchhaving a timer electrically coupled to said ultraviolet lamp and coupledto said door, said switch movable by said door for placing saidultraviolet lamp between an on position wherein said timer operates forabout 60 seconds when said door covers the open end, and an off positionwhen said door is pivoted to allow access to the interior of saidhousing; whereby mail placed within said interior of said housing issubject to ultraviolet light when said door is placed in a position tocover said open end.
 12. The ultraviolet light mailbox according toclaim 11 wherein said ultraviolet lamp is capable of radiating at awavelength of 254 nm providing germicidal destruction.
 13. Theultraviolet light mailbox according to claim 11 wherein said ultravioletlamp is capable of radiating at a wavelength of 185 nm and producingozone providing germicidal destruction.
 14. The ultraviolet lightmailbox according to claim 11 wherein said housing includes a viewingport to provide visual indication of lamp operation.